Vaporizer



Nov. 23, 1948. w, KUZMIN ETVAL 2,454,657

VAPORI ZER Filed Oct. 2, 1947 INVENTORS KUZMIN 575 555? LEVINE ATTORNEYPatented Nov. 23, 1948 VAPORIZER Walter R. Kuzmin, Nutley, and Samuel J.Levine, Newark, N. J.

Application October 2, 1947, Serial No. 777,418

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to Vaporizers of the type and kind employing anelectric heating element for heating water or other fluid to generatevapor for discharge of a medicated or other vapor from the device. Moreparticularly, the invention deals with a device of the characterdescribed, which is so designed as to provide substantiallyinstantaneous generation of vapor for quick and continued supply of themedicated or other vapors, thereby producing an efficient and economicaltype of device of the kind under consideration.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description, when taken together with the accompanyingdrawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosedand, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable referencecharacters in each of the views and, in which the drawin is a sectionalview through a device made according to our invention with part of theconstruction broken away.

In illustrating one adaptation and use of our invention, we have shownthe same applied to a jug or vessel having an insulated wall such as thecommonly known Thermos jugs for the purpose of holding a fluidtemperature and, thus, minimizing the electric consumption in aprolonged operation of the device. In many instances, vaporizers of thekind under consideration are used for'medicinal purposes for a continuedor lengthy discharge of a medicated vapor to ease congested conditions,such as asthma, head colds, hay fever, sinus trouble and the like. Onthe other hand, the apparatus may be also utilized for the discharge ofvarious insecticides for the treatment of clothing in a closet or, onthe other hand, to generally treat or condition a room or compartmentfor any purpose whatever.

In the drawing, IO represents the jug or container of a large Thermosdevice, the walls of which are constructed from inner and outer wallportions H and I2 with suitable insulatin material l3 therebetween. Theupper end of the jug or container has a large upwardly extending neck I4 integral with the wall structure thereof and treated, as seen at l5,to receive a detachable cap l6, which forms the mounting part of myimproved vaporizing attachment. Inother words, a vessel can beconstructed solely for the intended Purpose or a conventional standardThermos jug can be converted by substitution of the adaptor cap NS forthe present closure-cap in using the same as a vaporizing device.Secured centrally to the upper surface of the cap is a 2 plate l1,having a housing portion l8, in which is a socket l 9. In the socket I9is disposed two electric terminals, one of which is shown at 20, forplacing the electric heating element 2| in circuit with an electricsource of supply. Adjacent the casing I8 is a small steam or vaporchamber 22 having a tube 23 secured in the lower wall thereof andextending through the plate I! and through the cap 15, as well as aninsulating plug 24 disposed upon the inner surface of the cap IS. Theplug 24 has two bores 25 and 26; the pipe or tube 23 extends into onebore and the electric wires, one of which is shown at 21, extends fromthe terminal pins 20 through the bore 26 and contacting with the heatingelement 2 I.

Arranged in the bore 25 isa governor or control thimble or sleeve 28,having a steam inlet, as at 29, and a condensation discharge, as at 30,the latter'being disposed at the lower end of said thimble, If desired,two of the inlets 28 may be employed, but only one will appear in thesectional view shown.

Arranged upon the plug 24 is a long tube or cylinder 3|, which forms asteam generating cylinder and extends well into the jug or container IDto such a degree as to be exposed to a relatively large part of water orother fluid disposed in said jug or container.

At the lower end of the cylinder 3| is a plug 32 of insulating materialforming a support for the lower end of the heating element 2|, as seenat 33, the plug also having a port 34 for admission of fluid into thecylinder 3| to a level common to the level of fluid as contained in thejug or container 10, which level of fluid is indicated Detachable withrespect to the top of the chamber 22 is a cap 36 having attached to the"inner surface thereof a chain 31, from which is suse pended a perforatedmedication or other container 38. Secured to and extending outwardlyfrom the chamber 22 is a discharge spout or nozzle 39.

In the use of the device, the jug or container I0 is partially filledwith water or other fluid, after which the vaporizer attachment, as acomplete unit, is attached to the jug in the manner shown. The container38 is filled with the suitable crystal or other medications, or othertype of materiahto be used in conjunction with the device and, afterwhich, the socket of an extension cord, from a source of supply, isconnected with the plug pins 20 to heat the element 2!. The element maybe of any type or kind, but a carbon heating element is preferred. In amatter of from ten to fifteen ing objectionable odors and similarpurposes.

seconds the water or fluid within the cylinder 3i becomes heatedsufficiently to generate steam or vapor, which rises in the cylinder andis passed through the port or ports 29 and, thus, up into the chamber 22around the container where it picks up the medication and the vapor isthen discharged through the nozzle 39. Any conden sation that maycollect will drain back into the cylinder 3| through the port 38. With arelatively large body of fluid, we have found that a device of this typeand kind can operate for many hours at a nominal electric consumptionand without any danger of overheating and with the continued ejection ofvapor from the nozzle for any purpose for which the device i used. The

discharge of medicine has proved to be very desirable from thestandpoint oflgiving'con'ifort to those suffering from the ailments ofthe general type and kind mentioned heretofore. 0n the other hand,various insecticides and other types of chemicals can be utilized forvapor discharge from the device for the treatment of moths other housepests or insects; Whereas the device may be used for purification and/orotherwise treating a room or compartment for counteract- In referring tofluid, it will be understood that the fluid itself may comprise apie-prepared solution having properties which are suitable for the intended purpose. of the container 38* or a chemical of some type or kindtherein may be optional.

In Vaporizers of the kind under consideration, one of the objectionablefeatures has been the long time required for generation of vapors. Thishas been quite a nuisance or annoyance to the user. One of thedistinctive features of our invention resides in the fact that asubstantially instantaneous generation of vapor is provided and this islargely due to the relatively restricted cylinder and the use of aheating element which can be active immediately upon the small body offluid within the cylinder, without, in any way, materially changing thetemperature of the remainder of the fluid in the container or vessel.

We have found from experiene that, while the fluid in the cylinder 3| issufficiently hot to generate the steam vapors, the fluid in thecontainer or jug would be hardly warm to the touch, at least after ashort use of the device. In time, the fluid in. the jug will beheated'to a greater extent but this heating really adds to the efficiency of operation of the device.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vaporizer comprising a fluid container, a vaporizing unitdetachable with respect to the container, said unit comprising a cap formount ing on and forming a closure for the container, a steam generatingcylinder on the inner surface of the cap and adapted to extend into thecontainer, an electric heating element mounted in the cylinder in spacedrelation to the walls thereof, means on the cap for placing the electricheating element in circuit with a source of electric supply, a vaporchamber on said cap, means placing said chamber in communication withthe upper end of said cylinder, said chamber having a discharge spout,and means detachable with respect to said chamber for supportingmaterial in and in spaced relation to the walls of the chamber forexposure to the vapor therein.

2. A vaporizer comprising a fluid container, a vaporizing unitdetachable with respect to the In the latter instance, the usecontainer, said unit comprising a cap for mounting on and forming aclosure for the container, a steam generating cylinder on the innersurface of the cap and adapted to extend into the con tainer, anelectric heating element mounted in the cylinder in spaced relation tothe walls thereof, means on the cap for placing the electric heatingelement in circuit with a source of electric supply, a vapor chamber onsaid cap, means placing said chamber in communication with the upper endof said cylinder, said chamber having a discharge spout, meansdetachable with respect to said chamber for supporting material in andin spaced relation to the walls of the chamber for exposure to the Vaportherein, said last named means comprising a cover, and a perforatedcontainer flexibly supported in connection with said cover.

3. A vaporizer comprising a fluid container, 21 vaporizing unitdetachable with respect to the container, said unit comprising a cap formounting on and forming a closure for the container, a steam generatingcylinder on the inner surface of the cap and adapted to extend into thecontainer, an electric heating element mounted in the cylinder in spacedrelation to the walls thereof, means on the cap for placing the electricheating element in circuit with a source of electric supply, a vaporchamber on said cap, means p1acing said chamber in communication withthe upper end of said cylinder, said chamber having a discharge spout,means detachable with respect to said chamber for supporting material inand'in spaced relation to the walls of the chamber for exposure to thevapor therein, said last named means comprising a cover, a perforatedcontainer flexibly supported in connection with said cover, saidcontainer having insulated walls, and means insulating the mounting ofthe electric heating element at opposed ends of said cylinder.

4. A vaporizing device of the character described comprising a fluidcontainer, an elongated narrow cylinder, means detachably mounting thecylinder to extend into said container, said last named means includinga casing forming a vapor chamber, a perforated thimble shaped membercontrolling transmission of vapor from the upper end of the cylinder tosaid chamber, means including insulating plugs at opposed ends of thecylinder for mounting an electric heating element in the cylinder inspaced relation to the walls thereof, the lower plug having an aperturefor admitting fluid of the container into said cylinder, means adjacentsaid casing for supporting electric terminals in circuit with saidheating element to establish electric communication with a source ofelectric supply, said casing have a detachable cover, a perforatedcontainer supported on said cover within the vapor chamber and in spacedrelation to the Walls of said casing, and a discharge on the casingadjacent the upper end thereof through which vapors from said chamberare adapted to pass.

5. A vaporizing device of the character described-comprising a fluidcontainer, an elongated narrow cylinder, means detachably mounting thecylinder to extend into said container, said last named means includinga casing forming a vapor chamber, a perforated thimble shaped membercontrolling transmission of vapor from the upper end of the cylinder tosaid chamber, means including insulating plugs at opposed ends of thecylinder for mounting an electric heating element in the cylinder inspaced relation to the walls thereof, the lower plug having an aperturefor admitting fluid of the container into said cylinder, means adjacentsaid casing for sup porting electric terminals in circuit with saidheating element to establish electric communication with a source ofelectric supply, said casing having a detachable cover, a perforatedcontainer supported on said cover within the vapor chamber and in spacedrelation to the walls of said casing, a discharge on the casing adjacentthe upper end thereof through which vapors from said chamber are adaptedto pass, and said first named means comprising a cap in threadedengagement with said container.

6. A vaporizing device of the character described comprising a fluidcontainer, an elongated narrow cylinder, means detachably mounting thecylinder to extend into said container, said last named means includinga casing forming a vapor chamber, a perforated thimble shaped membercontrolling transmission of vapor from the upper end of the cylinder tosaid chamber, means including insulating plugs at opposed ends of thecylinder for mounting an electric heating element in the cylinder inspaced relation to the walls thereof, the lower plug having an aperturefor admitting fluid of the container into said cylinder, means adjacentsaid casing for supporting electric terminals in circuit with saidheating element to establish electric communication with a source ofelectric supply, said casing having a detachable cover, a discharge onthe casing adjacent the upper end thereof through which vapors from saidchamber are adapted to pass said first named means comprising a cap inthreaded engagement with said container, the container having insulatedwalls, and the cover of said casing having a flexibly supportedperforated container adapted to be suspended within the chamber of saidcasing.

7. A vaporizer of the class described comprising a large fluidcontainer, a cap detachable with said container, means comprising anelongated tube mounted centrally of the cap and extending into saidcontainer forming an elongated restricted fluid chamber in saidcontainer, means on the cap and extending into said tube forelectrically heating fluid in said chamber to generate vapors in theupper portion thereof, means 6 on the cap forming a vapor chamber abovesaid restricted chamber, and means comprising a perforated thimbleplacing the upper portion of the restricted chamber in communicationwith said vapor chamber.

8. A vaporizer of the class described comprising a large fluidcontainer, means forming an elongated restricted fluid chamber in saidcontainer, means for electrically heating fluid in said chamber togenerate vapors in the upper portion thereof, a vapor chamber above saidrestricted chamber, means comprising a perforated thimble placing theupper portion of the restricted chamber in communication with said vaporchamber, said vapor chamber having a discharge, and means comprising anopenworlr member for supporting a predetermined treating element in saidvapor chamber in characterizing vapors discharged therefrom.

9. A vaporizer of the class described comprising a large fluidcontainer, means forming an elongated restricted fluid chamber in saidcontainer, means for electrically heating fluid in said chamber togenerate vapors in the upper portion thereof, a vapor chamber above saidrestricted chamber, means comprising a perforated thimble placing theupper portion of the restricted chamber in communication with said vaporchamber, said vapor chamber having a discharge, means comprising an'openwork member for supporting a predetermined treating element in saidvapor chamber in characterizing vapors discharged therefrom, and meansdetachably suspending the openwork member in said vapor chamber.

WALTER R. KUZMIN. SAMUEL J. LEVINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,941,678 Gamard Jan. 2, 19341,949,778 Brown et al Mar. 6, 1934 1,981,765 Weiss Nov. 20, 19342,235,879 Hanks et al Mar. 25, 1941

